Mass. looks for tweet cheats during MCAS

Electronic devices not allowed in test

Published 10:03 AM EDT Mar 22, 2013

BOSTON -

Massachusetts education officials are trying to stay one step ahead of students using Twitter to cheat on standardized tests.

During testing, a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education staffer scours Twitter for the MCAS hashtag, looking for students who might be sharing pictures of answer booklets or discussing questions with other test-takers.

The state is on high alert for Twitter cheaters this month, when 500,000 students take the English language portion of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam.

Education officials began keeping tabs on tweets last June during the science MCAS given to 76,000 students. The agency invalidated the tests of 10 students caught tweeting.

Department spokesman J.C. Considine tells The Boston Globe students are not allowed to bring electronic devices into tests, but some sneak them in.

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